MLB Rumors: Mariners still interested in signing Nelson Cruz

Aug 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz (17) reacts after striking out against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at O.Co Coliseum. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

We’re less than a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training and powerful slugger Nelson Cruz is still without a job. Much of that is self inflicted considering Cruz is coming off a PED suspension and is requesting a lucrative, multi-year deal.

The demands have scared many teams away but the Seattle Mariners, after missing out on Masahiro Tanaka, have money to spend and could opt to use it on Nelson Cruz.

Seattle has had interest in Cruz all offseason and now general manager Jack Zduriencik noted he’s still looking at the designated hitter/outfielder.

"“I’ve had a lot of discussions with Adam Katz, his agent,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said at FanFest last weekend. “There’s an economic factor tied to that, as well as losing your Draft pick. Would I like to have him here? Absolutely. I’d love to have Nelson Cruz in this lineup. But how much do you have to pay him, how many years is it going to be and are you willing to lose another Draft pick? Those are the things you have to factor.”"

It seems Cruz may need to settle for a one-year ‘pillow contract’ to re-build his value for next offseason if he’s looking to cash in.

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